Trending Baby Name Story

Name Profile

Ian

Ian is a boy’s name and the Scottish form of John. It became very popular outside Scotland in the 20th century, trending first in England before making its transatlantic journey to the US. Ian's strength lies in its sheer simplicity (two vowels and a sturdy N), and it has enjoyed immense star power and popularity. The English actors Ian McKellan and Ian McShane are two examples of famous and beloved Ians. And let’s not forget author Ian Fleming, who created the world’s most famous fictional spy, James Bond.
Scottish Male
Find Similar Names

Meaning

God is gracious

Popularity

132 views

Favorites

0 saves

Popularity trend

Pronunciation

'EE-uhn'

Rate this Name

0.0 (0 ratings)

Log in to rate this name

Name Story

Traits

  • Intelligent
  • Kind-hearted
  • Gentle
  • Resilient

Compatibility

Ian pairs well with traditional or modern sibling names due to its versatility. It works nicely as both a first and middle name and can complement a wide range of cultural and stylistic preferences.

Intelligent Kind-hearted Gentle Resilient

Spotlight

Famous Personalities

Notable people who share the name.

Portrait of Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen

Actor

Born: May 25, 1939 · Burnley, England

Portrait of Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming

Writer

Born: May 28, 1908 · London, England

Portrait of Ian Holm

Ian Holm

Actor

Born: September 12, 1931 · Goodmayes, Essex, England

Portrait of Ian McShane

Ian McShane

Actor

Born: September 29, 1942 · Blackburn, Lancashire, England

Portrait of Ian Somerhalder

Ian Somerhalder

Actor

Born: December 8, 1978 · Covington, Louisiana, United States

Portrait of Ian Ziering

Ian Ziering

Actor

Born: March 30, 1964 · Newark, New Jersey, USA

Regional Variations & Spellings

Alternative Spellings

  • Ian Original form
  • Иэн Russian
  • 伊恩 Chinese
  • इयान Hindi
  • იან Georgian
  • イアン Japanese
  • این Persian
  • ഐയൻ Malayalam
  • 이안 Korean

Share this name

Frequently Asked Questions about Ian

What does Ian mean?
God is gracious
What is the origin of Ian?
Ian has Scottish origins.
Is Ian popular?
Ian has been viewed 132 times and saved to favorites 0 times by our community.
What are similar names to Ian?
Similar names include Liam, Dakota, Laura, Amber, Treasure.
How do you pronounce Ian?
Ian is pronounced 'EE-uhn'.

Get 50 Unique Baby Names Delivered Weekly

Join our newsletter for name inspiration and cultural insights.